Help, I Need Grace by Judi Jo Adams

Help, I Need GRACE!

Have you ever said to yourself  “Oh, God I need I grace for today!”  I can confess that I’ve sure had that thought on many days!  I can remember right where I was when I cried out to God for grace.  What followed was unexpected, as He carried me to His word to understand that I had a part to play.   Back in1993 we took our first missionary journey into India.  So vividly I can recall spending over 200 hours on second class train rides, carrying a back pack bigger than me & wondering how I would ever live to tell about all my adventures!

Before leaving on that trip I did a study on grace, knowing ahead of time I was going to need an extra dose of the unmerited ability of God!  I came across the most remarkable scripture that has forever changed my life.  Romans 5:2 says “Through whom also we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.  And rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Thank God for the Holy Spirit & how quickly I found my answer.  I thought grace would just fall on me, like an apple in autumn lands on the ground.   I could now see that simply wasn’t the case &, that if I just waited around, I would be doing so in my own strength.  Grace is accessed or taken by faith!

I know, I know, it’s always nicer when none of the responsibility falls on us.  I could clearly see from the Word of God that grace doesn’t just fall, grace is taken by faith.  Unfortunately, it’s one thing to read a scripture and obtain a fresh revelation and another thing to actually apply what we have learned.  Well, standing in the middle of Bombay that first night we arrived in India, wondering how I would survive, it was clear that I could not do this on my own.  Funny how we think we can do so much on our own! When I got in a situation where my ability would obviously not work, I reached out to God who has His ability available in our time of need.  I took grace for free!  I’ve been taking grace every day since!

After experiencing what it is like to live accessing his grace for my day, there was never again a question to how I needed His ability to live every day.  We need His grace to be a mother, oh how we need His grace to be a mother!  We need His grace to be a wife, walking in the beautiful balance that it requires to stand by our husband’s side.  We need grace to fulfill His plan, standing until we have seen it come to pass and having done all things… to stand!  Grace is available for all times & everything.  The Word tell us, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  (11Corinthians 9:8)  What a scripture!  He wants to abound or liberally pour out His grace for us to accomplish good works at all times!  He wants us to have what we need to go forth in this life!

Have you ever had one of those days when there appears not to be enough time to accomplish it all or not enough of you to go around?  Reach out and take His grace.  Have you ever held a vision so dear to your heart, but not known how to bring it to pass? Reach out and take His grace.  Have you simply known the answer to your prayers was on the way, but needed help in standing until you received your promise?  Reach out and simply take grace.   “And of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.”  (John 1:16)  He has grace for grace, every step of the way, giving us His ability to win!  We can take of His fullness,  His unmerited ability today!

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He Makes It Beautiful by Judi Jo Adams

He makes it all BEAUTIFUL!

We may not understand everything in life!  Thankfully, Paul tells us in I Cor 13:12  that a day is coming when we shall see clearly.   He says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”  Never the less, there remains those questions like “Hey mom, why were there dinosaurs on earth?”  Hmmm, I know there are many theories, but the truth is that we just may not “know it all” until we see Him face to face.  Can you imagine all He will have to share with us!  Oh, what a beautiful day!

We do have a blessed promise for this life.  It’s one that addresses some of those things that have happened that just don’t yet make sense to us.  Yes, this may be a topic that many won’t touch, but I’m not afraid!  I’ve just seen it come to pass so beautifully in a situation in our family.  Ecc 3:11 say, “He has made all things beautiful in His time.”  Don’t you just love that scripture!  My father passed away eight years ago this month & it was very hard for all of us, especially my mom.  Anyone who has ever sat at a bedside & watched a loved one cross over to glory understands this bittersweet experience.

I watched my mom, calling her every day at 6:00 pm when I knew she would be eating dinner alone; go through a very challenging period in life. Then, in May of 2010, I watched God make it all beautiful again as she married a wonderful God-loving man!  The theme scripture for their union, as I stood by her side, was Ecc 3:11 & it fit so perfectly.  Her new husband as well had lost his wife in a similar situation, but now they were both experiencing God do something new & beautiful for them.

Thank God that spring time always comes, the trees will bring forth their tender green leaves & new life will appear in the air.  Even when we go through challenging days, ones that seem like a branch in the winter that has lost all life, if we stay connected to the vine we will bloom again!  John tells us about that vine that will always produce fruit in John 15:5 & throughout the whole chapter.  He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abides in me & I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.”

So, what do we do as we are holding tight for the seasons of life to change? We have to abide in the vine!  That means we have to cling to Him, where the life of God is flowing from Him to you & remain in His presence.  There may be seasons that are a little more unpleasant, Joseph sure had them!  Last night I was telling the boys the story of Joseph & his journey that carried him to the palace.  At first, Wesley didn’t like it at all that Joseph went from the pit, to slavery, to prison & wanted me to stop reading.  He’s my sensitive little guy!  Then, I explained to him that life may not always be easy, but all that matters is that we get to the promise of our heart!  Jesus says it so clearly when He said in Jn 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Will there be challenges?  Yes!  Is the one who overcame it all on the cross able to make it all beautiful again? Absolutely! 

Joseph has no regrets now &, when I look back at our hardships over the years, I don’t either.  The journey helped get me right here, so I’d thankfully do it again for Him!  After all, the good Shepherd of Psalms 23 was with me all the way.

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Don't Journey Alone by Judi Jo Adams

Don't Journey Alone

The boys & I have been taking our now 2nd journey every evening through Hurlbuts Stories of the Bible, which is for sure among the best of things I’ve ever done with them.  Shock of all, as I thought it was only a children’s devotional, I think I‘ve learned as much as them.  (there’s a link for the book to the right) After this last week’s devotional time, I  truly have a whole new appreciation for being able to talk personally with my Lord.

Seeing Moses’ amazing journey in a new, & very condensed, light made me realize how very grateful I am.  He was leading an army through the dessert, some estimating the children of God to be well over a million in number.  All the while, he was the only one having these amazing up close and personal discussions with God.  He even came down from the mount with his face literally shining in Exodus 34! Sad to say, the rest of them had to rely on Moses to hear something from the Lord, as they made this very difficult pilgrimage through the dessert.  That might have had something to do with why it took so long…lol!

Thank God for Jesus!  He came, shed His blood, paid the price for our sin & the vail was torn from top to bottom.  No longer was man to be kept out of the presence of God!  Now, we can have that intimate relationship that Moses had with Him.   After all, Acts 10:34 teaches us that He is no respecter of persons.  The Bible  also says in Heb 13:8 that He is the same yesterday, today & forever.  Just as the bush was on fire for Moses to get his attention in Exodus 3, I believe every day he is trying to get our attention as well.  He is trying to lead us to the mountain top too!  It may not be in the form of a burning bush; most likely it’s simply the gentle promptings in your spirit.  

What is your situation?  Maybe you feel as though you are in the dessert & the promises of God seem too difficult to reach.  Stop, come away with Him & hear His voice. I’m pretty convinced that most of our problems are that we are simply too busy.  Our days are too full to take time to be with Him, even though it is our good intention.   Are there too many demands of life to get quiet & listen, so you journey on complaining & stressed?   Let’s learn our lesson from the Children of Israel in the dessert, because we sure don’t want to delay our promises!

Look, I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Moses to head up to the mountain top for 40 days, he knew how disobedient the Children of Israel could be & the trouble they could get into.  He went anyway!  We should be able to at least pull away for 40 minutes into the presence of the one who sees our beginning & our end.  He knows so well that if He can get our eyes off our situations and onto Him that He can lead us through.  Guess you could say, “The ball is in our court now!”

The beauty is that all the same glory awaits us to be experienced.  He waits to commune with us by His Holy Spirit & to pour His peace that passes all understanding right through our souls.  Prov 3:5 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding… and he shall direct your path.” How does this happen?  As we get quiet enough to look to Him, we can take our minds off of our situations.  Then, beholding His glory, it’s now easy to put our trust in the one that created it all anyway!

Let’s not make this journey alone.  Take the challenge today!  Come away & be with Him…  you’ll be so thankful you took the time. 

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Better Not Bitter by Judi Jo Adams

Better not Bitter

It was in the middle of one of the hardest of days that I heard this challenging charge to my heart & it was right on time!   I thank God for the day someone said to me, “You can allow the situations of life to make you bitter or make you better!”   I looked at my attitude, checked my heart & an adjustment started that day that has carried me to where I am now.  As I type this letter, I’m a person who can look back upon all the toils of life & truly say that have made me better!  Where there was pride there is humility, where there was selfishness there is sacrifice & where there was more of me there is simply more of Him!

Have you ever read the beautiful story of Naomi & Ester found in the book of Ruth?   Naomi  & her husband Elimelech had left their home land, with their two sons, and journeyed to the land of the Moabites.  They lived there ten years, where both of their sons married and were living the good life.  Then, tragedy stuck, Elimelech died and with him his two sons also perished.  Now, facing an uncertain future where she was living, Naomi urged her two daughter-in-laws that she loved dearly to return to their homes.  She was going to make a journey back to the land of her people, the Israelites.

Oprah, one of the daughter-in-laws, went back to her home but Ruth made a statement that sends chills down my arms.  (Like my little Evan says, “It gives me chicken skin!”)  In Ruth 1:16 her answer boldly came, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”  As the story goes on, together they return to Israel.  Then, while gleaning grain in the field of Boaz like a poor person, Boaz falls in love with her.  Ruth goes on to marry Boaz, one of the richest men in all the land, & brings Naomi into her home. Best of all, King David himself came forth from her.  She became the mother of kings!

Oh my!  Why does that story so grip my heart?  Along the way Naomi, whose name means “pleasant”, wanted to change her name to Mara which means “bitter”.   She felt this way because of how the situations of life had so affected her.  As you see in the story above, God had a plan for her life by using her sweet daughter-in-law Ruth; the Lord brought deliverance & even the lineage of a King to Naomi. No, Mara was not to be her name for God had a plan to make her bad circumstances blossom into one of the most beautiful lives ever lived.  He will do the same for you!

Now, both women had a part to play in the story!  Naomi had to obey & return home not knowing what would happen.  Ruth had to follow her heart, after losing her husband at a young age, by going to a land & a people she did not know.  We will all have challenges before us as well that we may think are impossible, but I want to encourage you to follow hard after God & see the victory.  The Word says in Prov 4:23 to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  So, guard your heart, keeping your eyes on Him, and you will not become a woman named “bitter” but remain “pleasant” before the Lord.

He is & always has been faithful.  He does & always will have a way out! We will & always will have to guard our hearts, knowing the one who went before Naomi still goes before us.  If she could have only seen ahead, the name Mara would have never rolled off her lips.  If we could see ahead, we would never allow life to make us bitter.  God has a beautiful plan for us too & it will truly be “pleasant” to your heart!

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Are We Listening by Judi Jo Adams

Are We Listening?

Happy New Year!  Well, it’s January 1st, 2011 as I write this inspiration from my heart.  I can’t help but think of all the different places I’ve rang in the New Year & how thankful I am today to find myself right in the center of His will for my life, even if it is Oklahoma & not one of the Greek Isles!  Where is His perfect will for me?  I guess it’s in that place of being more determined than ever to make a difference in this world.  It’s a place of the heart.

Maybe it’s because the years seem to get more precious the older I get or it might just be because I love Him more than ever.   Whatever the reason, I just want to do every last thing He has for me in this year.  If we follow after His will, not getting side-tracked by the distractions that surround us, His plan is for us to enjoy life to the fullest & also impact it beyond our dreams.  How can that happen?  Well, basically it means we will have to listen to that still small voice of the Holy Ghost that will lead & guide us.  We see Elijah in I Kings 19 come to understand this same thing.  We see him on the mountain before the Lord, where the wind, earthquake & fire all passed before him.   The voice of the Lord wasn’t in any of those huge outward showings, rather He came in the still small voice.  It’s the same for us!  So, often we want God to shoot off fireworks & show us how to fulfill our destiny.  The truth, He waits to lead us every day by His still small voice.  The question is, are we listening?

So many people say that there just isn’t enough time in the day.  I really don’t believe that is true, even though I’ve been guilty of saying it myself!  The truth is that God numbers our days & has a perfect plan for each one.  He wouldn’t ask us to do more in a day than we are able; I think that our own over scheduling is often to blame.  Even when He made this beautiful planet, He took the seventh day to rest! Hmmmm, He knows just how to schedule His time.  If we are feeling weighed down, something isn’t right!  In Mathew 11:30 He says, “My yoke is easy & my burden is light.”  So, it can’t be because God is asking too much of us.  It has to be that we have added too much to ourselves or there is always the possibility that some of our time isn’t’ spent wisely.  I know, we all struggle with that one!

The very worst thing that can happen with our time is for Him not to have any of it all to Himself. I can remember when we use to move from nation to nation.  Without fail, with transition would come that feeling for me of needing to re-find my routine.  Mostly, I needed to figure out where my quiet time could have priority!  After a few weeks of wondering around, I would always run to God with a “Help, I miss my time with you!”  He would always so gently, on the inside, show me a pattern that worked for that specific time in my life.  Today there are still seasons that change as often as I use to travel.  When the boys where toddlers, there was less of me to give other places.  Now that they are bigger, I find more time to give to those around me.  Hmmm, maybe that book in my heart is possible after all!

More than likely, if we would all take an evaluation of our time, we have a little more of it to spend than we realize!  Usually, when an inventory is complete, we realize that quite a bit of time was lost somewhere between a phone call that could have ended earlier and an internet search that could have long been over.  I promise you that, within the will of God, there is plenty of time for us to enjoy the beauties of life & fulfill His lovely plan.  We just have to listen to the still small voice. You know, those little nudges that say, “Get off the phone” or that may say, “Turn off the computer.”  Have you ever felt those?  Weather we listen or not, they were for a reason!  Rom 8:14 teaches us that the sons of God are led by the spirit of God.   He is trying to lead us!  He is trying to keep us from adding too much to ourselves & also to keep us from losing time that could be better spent.  Trust me, family time is precious, rest is precious & He has a way for us to experience it all! It requires our following the promptings inside.

Even Jesus had to say “no” every once in awhile & we may have to say it too!  In Luke 4 we see where the people didn’t want Him to leave & even begged Him to say, but He let them know He had to leave.  He was to the point & explained that He had to go to the next towns to preach because that was why He was sent.  Their persistence did not change His mind.  He didn’t allow others to dictate His time. Ouch! Have you ever been guilty of that one? I have, but I am learning.  Believe it or not, I can let my phone ring & not even go see who is calling.  Sometimes, we have to say “no” & go on where the spirit is leading us for that moment.

John 10:4 says, “His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.”  Then, over in Acts 17:28 we find one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  It says, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”  I believe that’s for all day, every day!  We can follow the Master by listening to His Spirit that abides inside us.  We can know when it’s time to make another phone call & when it’s time to be with those that are near to us.  There will always be a to-do list, but let’s allow the Holy Ghost to set the priority.  If we do, we’ll find that there is plenty of time to be with Him & do all He’s called us do.  We’ll even find that He’ll allow us to enjoy the ride along the way too!  

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Arrows in My Hand by Judi Jo Adams

Arrows in My Hand

Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of thy youth.

Psalms 127:3 & 4

I’ve cried out to God, in the quietness of my own prayer chamber, to give me His passion of motherhood.  That I would fully grasp what it means to be entrusted with these precious little lives, these eternal spirits that are in my care to shape for His glory!  In my heart He has birthed the realization that they are my greatest accomplishment in the earth, they are my righteous seed that shall continue forth bearing fruit for His name.  If He chooses to tarry, long after I am gone, they will be the ones that remain to bring glory to His cause.

Now, to be very honest, those of you who know me understand that this had to be worked into my heart.  For the first 10 years of our marriage, my husband & I traveled hand in hand to the nations of the world.  It was my greatest passion! Then, after that season wound down for me, our two beautiful sons came forth & a new season came upon me.  As a mother of young ones, it’s easy to become wrapped up in their care & not fully realize the power of this new time that had come to me.  Only holding onto little hands, one fails to realize that hand will one day reach out to the world. 

Slowly, I began to see that although making disciple in the nations had been as gold to me, these two little disciples in my home would truly be my greatest accomplishment.  They will be the ones to whom I can fully impart all of my heart & watch go forth to carry out the Father’s plan for their lives, however He writes that for them.  What started out as a restless time for me, became a season that I cherish & hold dear.  I know that these years are greater than any other years I have yet to live, though their fruit will not fully be seen until long after I am gone.

After this understanding came to my heart, I realized the awesomeness of their gift to me & the responsibility of allowing them to become all He created them to be.  Having traveled the world & studying the lives of families in the Word, it was never my desire to simply turn them into the American status quo.  Though soccer teams have their purpose & school events teach beautiful lessons, I knew there was still more that God desired for all our children to learn as they grow.  He wanted me to live my passion for Him out before them & allow it be their teacher.  This became my endeavor & still is now to this day.

I didn’t want to hide my love for the King in my own prayer closet; I wanted them to hear it lived out loud before them.  So, I began this quest.  Not to push my Lord upon them, but to allow my passion for Him to become their desire as well.  Both my husband & I have our devotional time with the Lord right in our living room.  Our children have learned to respect that.  They play in their playroom or run around our feet, but they hear us pray & worship right before them.  It has become natural to them.  One day Wesley came to me in the morning, on a day that I had gotten up early to pray, he looked at me and said “Mama, shouldn’t you be praying?”  My heart was full of joy in that moment, knowing that He realized that prayer was an integral part of my day & ultimately his day as well. 

Then, I can remember when they were very small, just 2 & 4 years old, sharing a room together.  I would read story books to them every night.  One evening the light dawned in my heart; I’m not sure why it took so long!  I am already setting apart this special time with them & we all know how precious time is in our busy lives.  Why don’t I turn this into my devotional time with them?  And so, I did just that.  From that day until now we have never missed an evening of worshipping Him together.  Over this period of 5 ½ years I have watched them grow into boys who love Jesus, can pray at a moment’s notice & truly know Him.  It has been my greatest investment of time.

The Lord urged me not to push Him on them, but let them simply watch me & join in at their own time.  For Wesley, this came so early & so naturally.  Every evening we pray, read, worship & quote scriptures.  I’ve tried to endeavor to do this in no certain order, so they can just learn to flow with the Spirit in prayer as they grow as well.  Right off the bat, Wesley would dive in singing with me & even sing his own songs to God, written from His heart.

Evan took a little longer, however all the while the Lord encouraged me not to push.   So, hard as it was, I did not push.  If he wanted not to sing & just fall asleep, that’s was fine with me.  Then, something beautiful took place!  After years of not pushing, something clicked in his little spirit & he began to sing… with all his might, he sang!  He has remained that way until this day.  I often think, what would have happened if I would have pushed?  I’m so thankful that the Lord gently led me to allow him to just watch.  Now I know he was listening, learning & taking it all in; he blossomed in his own time.

I still have much to learn & even today, on Mother’s Day, I cried out again for God to help me be the best mother I can be. What I share with you today is my greatest treasure of motherhood & a glimpse into how the Lord gently led me to put a desire for Him into their hearts.  Now, I can see how Psalms 127 is true & how these two little boys are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.  I believe they will hit their mark, whatever destiny it is that the Lord has chosen for them to walk!

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In The Face Of Difficulty by Judi Jo Adams

In the Face of Difficulty

Is it possible to face difficult situations, yet shine in the face of it all? Absolutely!  As I look in the Word of God at some of the greatest miracles, both Old & New Testament, I have realized that so often they are birthed out of great distress.  It’s true!  Surrounding most of the great miracles that stand out so brightly in the Bible, we can find economic disaster, grave sickness & heavy persecutions. Out of circumstances like these emerge the miracles we preach about.

The examples are endless, just like the widow who had no food in the face of the famine in I Kings 17. What happened on her behalf?  The prophet came to her house &, out of her obedience to give him her last morsels of food, her oil & flour never ran out until the famine ceased.  How about the children of Israel & the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 13?  After an unthinkable amount of years in slavery & after all the plaques that came upon Pharaoh, finally they were free & now this uncrossable sea was before them.  Only God can work a wonder like that in a situation where there is either a miracle or death.  The beauty is that he tells us in Hebrew 13:8 that He is the same yesterday, today & forever.  He did it for them; He will do it for us!

I find this so comforting right now, as we have such a beautiful work in Egypt & those that we love are locked in their homes crying out to God for protection.  As I spoke to our national director for the first time, after the riots had broke out in Cairo, a Spirit of Faith arose in me.  I know that the God who provided for the widow is their God too.  I know that the God who safely led Paul through the city, in the face of angry mobs, is protecting them now.  Regardless of what takes place in any nation at any time, our God never changes & His Word will remain the same.

He told Mary in John 11:40, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God.”  Looking deeper into this passage, such hope springs in my heart.  You see, Lazarus had been dead 4 days.  Mary herself thought it to be impossible & told the Lord that He surely stunk by now.  Amazingly, Jesus found this an opportunity for a miracle… one of the greatest in the Word.  He wasn’t moved by how long Lazarus had been dead or by the reports of the people.  He commanded Lazarus to come out of that tomb & out he came!

These are only the beginning of examples.  There was the feeding of the 5,000 when there was no way to provide for such a multitude.  There were the three Hebrew children who were thrown into the furnace & came out without even a hint of smoke.  Then, there were the lepers who went into the enemy’s camp, only to find that God himself had fought the battle for them.  I could go on & on about the miracles that we see, which all came forth when the situation looked impossible.  After all, Matthew 19:26 says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Yes, He is able to make us shine out of the most difficult situations.  Why?  Maybe it’s because that’s when we finally take our eyes off our trials & whole heartedly but out trust in Him.   Is His requirement for us to have a miracle attainable? Oh, Yes!  He only requires one thing.  “If you believe, you shall see the glory of God.”  

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Avoid The Fanny Bite by Daphne Delay

AVOID THE FANNY-BITE!   

Focus can make or break a person.  I have a plaque in my house that reads: Be careful what you focus on: your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your witness, your witness is everything!  What a person is focused on will either be to their success, or it will be to their downfall.  This truth must be part of the reasoning behind God's instruction in Proverbs: "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.  But happy is he who keeps the law" (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV).

Most people are familiar with the King James Version: "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." Yet both words, revelation and vision, deal with focus.  In other words, where there is no sight, people are lost.  But in context of right or wrong focus, it's not so much about not seeing as it is about seeing correctly.  God does not desire for His people to perish or be lost.  Therefore, He has given His Word as a map.  This is why He said, "But happy is he who keeps the law {following God's teaching}."  We could say, "Happy is the one who follows the map {is not lost}."

Another word that explains the revelation or vision God desires for us to have is the word boundary.  For example, if I needed to travel from Dallas to Tampa, the highway would be my boundary to follow.  Without the boundary of the road, with its markings and signs, I might end up in Canada -- completely off-track and lost!  "Where there is no revelation {no boundary}, the people cast off restraint {perish, get lost, run wild}."  This is not the will of God for man.  When there are no boundaries, everyone is in danger.  

Think about a fence.  What is it useful for?  It either keeps things in or keeps things out.  At a wildlife park, there are boundaries for the lions and boundaries for the people.  Where there is no boundary, people are open for attack.  Therefore, the boundaries are there for the protection of the people and the wildlife.  In the same manner, God has set up boundaries for His children to keep them protected from their enemy, the devil. Someone once said, "The devil can't schedule your destruction, but he tries real hard to schedule your distraction."

When a person is distracted by wrong focus, the devil is waiting and watching for the right moment to POUNCE!  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  Other translations say, "Keep a cool head {keep your mind clear}. Stay alert. The Devil {your opponent} is {prowling around} poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping {and devour you}" (Message and God's Word Translations).  This is not a secret to most Believers.  We are well aware that the devil is out to get us!  But what is a secret is his method of distracting us.

"Lest Satan should take advantage of us, we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).  Paul said this to the church in Corinth, but unfortunately it is not true of all Believers; many are ignorant of Satan's devices.  God said, "My people perish for a lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6).  Ignorance is nothing more than a lack of knowledge.  This would explain why God said His people perish.  When they are ignorant, or have a lack of knowledge (or we could say no revelation or vision), they perish under Satan's attacks.

Ignorance can also mean to ignore.  

I am amazed at the Christians who live their lives like an ostrich with his head in the sand, not realizing that his plump, fat fanny is sticking up in the air with a sign that says, "Yum! Yum! Come and get me devil!"  Yet they act so surprised when the devil comes like the roaring lion and takes a big bite out of them!  

Or what about God's Word being likened to a map?  I have a hard time sympathizing with those who choose to ignore the written directions.  It is a waste of time and energy to keep the map folded in our lap.  God didn't say, "Where there is no MAP, the people perish."  He said, "Where there is no revelation {concerning the map}, the people {get lost, open themselves up for attack, and} perish."  God has given us a map!  It is His Word.

We could also use children as a good example.  The New Living Translation of Proverbs 29:18 says, "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild."  Have you ever seen children without boundaries?  They run wild!  The sad truth is that children running wild are crying out for boundaries.  In the natural, it appears they are rebellious and defiant.  Yet looking at it spiritually, these same children (created in the image of God) are looking for the safety of boundaries.  What looks like defiance may be nothing more than a child pushing against everything trying to find the safety of his or her boundary.  Once the boundary is revealed, the child feels safe and settles down in the security of thier borders.

Don't forget that you and I are children of God.  

We need boundaries to keep us guarded against the attacks of the enemy and to give us the security our soul longs for.  True revelation, vision, and focus are the boundaries that make us feel safe.  False revelation gives us false security.  It seems to meet the need until the SURPRISE bite in the fanny by the lion!  However, correct focus will protect us from such a fate.  We can approach life with an understanding of revelation and truth.  "Your righteousness is eternally right, and Your revelation is the only truth" (Psalm 119:142, Message).  

My prayer is for God's Word, His map, to be the center of our attention and the reason for our success.

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Where Are Your Manners by Daphne Delay

WHERE ARE YOUR MANNERS?

I live in a house full of boys.  Teaching manners seems to be an ongoing lesson in my home.  I asked myself this morning if Jesus ever taught on manners.  What I found is interesting.  But first, let me share with you what the dictionary and thesaurus have to say about the subject.  Manner means a way of acting or behaving or how something is done; manners (plural) is socially correct behavior or polite standards. 

There are not any direct references to the plural use of this word manner.  However, there are several that use the singular form of the word.  When King David wanted to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant, God responded by stating that He had ordained for King David's house to have a strong dynasty and that one of his children would build it.  King David responded by asking, "Who am I, O Lord God?  And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?  And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; and You have also spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come.  Is this the manner of man, O Lord God" (2 Samual 7:18-19)?  In other words, is this how you deal with everyone?

Paul gave specific instructions to the church on how to receive communion with these words: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (I Corinthians 11:27).  In another place he spoke of repentance, saying, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner..." (2 Corinthian 7:10-11).  The Bible also speaks of "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some..." (Hebrews 10:25) and looking for the coming day of Jesus: "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11).  And in a final example, John commended Gaius for his hospitality, saying, "Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church.  If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well" (3 John 5-6).

Combined, these references draw our attention to how we deal with others and God and how He deals with us.  I am blessed to come from a family that taught morals and manners.  I did not receive Jesus as my Lord until I was 21 years old, but manners (and the manner in which we deal with people) is a universal protocol, Christian or non-Christian.  I learned to say please and thank you all the time, not just sometimes.  I was taught to say excuse me if I was even potentially inconveniencing someone or had a slip of bodily function!  I was instructed to put my napkin in my lap and keep my elbows off the table.  I said "Yes, sir" and "No, Sir" - "Yes, maam" and "No, maam" or I got a thump on the head.  Manners were expected and there was no excuse for not having any.

Nowadays, manners are treated as a past generation behavior and have lost all priority.  In fact, it is more common to find people laughing at the lack of manners then it is to find someone who observes them.  But these things should not be so.  If we are representatives of Jesus Christ and children of God, shouldn't we behave as He does?  "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1a)!  What manner of love has He shown us?  Let me tell you!

God's manner (and what ours should be) is laid out clearly in the scriptures.  "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.  It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.  Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].  It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.  Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].  Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, Amplified).

What conviction!  Most likely, all of us need to re-evaluate our lives and make adjustments.  This is just a small glimpse of what God expects of us and the MANNER in which we should behave with Him and with others.  And did you notice that the Word says this behavior should never fail, never fade out, become obsolete, or come to an end?  Manners are not a past generation behavior.  Manners are behavior of the GODLY.  We need to respect them, walk in them, teach them to our children, and find no cause to laugh at a lack of manners in someone's life.  I don't think God finds it near as funny as the devil who has forever found ways to pervert the ways of God.  May we all brush up on our manners and the manner in which we deal with others.

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The Shepherd Is Nearby by Daphne Delay

THE SHEPHERD IS NEARBY       

When the little lamb was born, it looked to its mother for nourishment and safety.  The mother taught the little lamb how to graze and find food and water.  As the lamb grew, it became more and more independent from its mother.  Most of it's days were spent with its head down grazing.  Rarely, did the little lamb look up.  The mother had warned the little lamb of dangers that loomed near the thicket, but the little lamb had never been face-to-face with real danger so the warnings of its mother seemed insignificant.  Until one day... The wolf eyed the little lamb from the edge of the thicket.  He noticed that the lamb was independent, and therefore vulnerable.  As the lamb slowly moved closer and closer to the edge of the thicket with its head down grazing, the wolf planned its attack.  Suddenly, the lamb was scooped up and hoisted into the air!  Within seconds, the little lamb was in the embrace of the Shepherd, saved from ultimate destruction.

"For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).

I don't believe the Bible describes humans as sheep because we are brainless.  I believe this description is used because we are born ignorant.  Our earthly caregivers can nurture us and keep us safe for a season; they can even warn us of looming danger.  But in most cases, we keep our head down focused on our immediate needs and wants, often oblivious of the wolf or the Shepherd.

  

Some ignorance is innocent and that's not a bad thing.  It is very sad when children lose their innocence at a young age because they were not protected by their caregivers.  In some cases, it is the caregiver who inflicts the pain on the young through direct contact; or second-handedly because they are so consumed with their own pain that the young are left neglected, confused, and exposed to outside influences.  In other words, the young take on the pain of the caregivers.  This cycle sometimes continues for many generations.

  

"For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).

The Shepherd has always been near the sheep.  It is the responsibility of the Shepherd to watch over his flock.  It is also the responsibility of the sheep to stay near the Shepherd.  But what if the little lamb was never told about the Shepherd? Then it would be understandable why the lamb wanders around doing its own thing. 

"We have all strayed like sheep.  Each one of us has turned to go his own way, and the Lord has laid all our sins on Him" (Isaiah 53:6).  The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls saw the problem from heaven.  "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd.  When they were scattered, they became food for every wild animal" (Ezekiel 34:5).  Not only were we scattered, going our own way, but we were constantly in danger of deception because of wolves in sheep's clothing and false shepherds.  "The idols speak lies.  The fortunetellers see false visions.  They speak about false dreams.  They give useless comfort.  That is why people wander around like sheep; they are troubled because there is no shepherd" (Zech. 10:2).

Something inside of every little lamb remains uneasy and troubled until it finds the Shepherd.  Even those who have lost their innocence and have seemingly become hard-hearted have a place deep within them that is troubled.   They may not know what it is.  They may not even acknowledge it to others, but it is there nonetheless.  It is the reason Jesus had so much compassion for the multitudes.  He could see their need.  "When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary {harrassed} and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). 

But foreseeing this dilemma, our Heavenly Father sent from heaven the Good Shepherd.   "This is what the Almighty Lord says: I will search for my sheep myself, and I will look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so I will look after my sheep.  I will rescue them on a cloudy and gloomy day from every place where they have been scattered" (Ezekiel 34:11-12).  One component of mercy is a desire to make things right.  When our heads were down, God had mercy.  When danger loomed nearby, God had mercy.  When we should have been destroyed, God had mercy.

"Like a shepherd He takes care of his flock.  He gathers the lambs in his arms.  He carries them in his arms.  He gently helps the sheep and their lambs" (Isaiah 40:11).  We didn't know that we were originally the property of the Shepherd and had gone astray.  We didn't realize that upon meeting the Shepherd, we were actually returning to Him.  Upon receiving this revelation, we shudder at the remembrance of our days before we knew the Shepherd; the danger and destruction that was very near and in some cases, almost took us.  But for this reason, He had mercy.  For this reason, He is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.  "I will look for those that are lost, bring back those that have strayed away, bandage those that are injured, and strengthen those that are sick" (Ezekiel 34:16).  What a merciful God! 

So, little lambs... "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2); the Shepherd is nearby.

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Slap Happy by Daphne Delay

SLAP-HAPPY? 

It is a natural tendency of our flesh to react. For example, touch something 

hot and your hand reacts automatically by pulling back; stub your toe on a 

piece of furniture and your whole body flinches in reaction to the sudden 

pain.  And if you are untrained in self-discipline, a few sharp words may 

coincide with your reaction. In fact, outbursts of sudden emotions are 

reactions in and of themselves.  This is why Christians must allow the Holy 

Spirit to bear the fruit of His presence in their lives - without it, we are 

just a mass of flesh.  Galatians teaches, "But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, longsufering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness 

AND SELF-CONTROL" (5:22-23).  The simplest definition for this kind of 

self-control is this: allowing the real you on the inside to call the shots; 

or we could rename it "spirit-controlled." 

But like I said, it is a natural tendency of our flesh to react.  It began 

at birth and still plagues us to this day.  Paul had a misfortunate reaction in front of the Jewish High Council one time, but it was his correction to the reaction that we can learn from.  He had been arrested and transferred to many courts by this time.  The commander of the Sanhedrin wanted to know why Paul was accused by the Jews, so he ordered the leading priests into session and brought Paul before them. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" (Acts 23:1-3) 

Uh-oh! A natural reaction?!!  I'm afraid I might have done the same thing, 

except I might have slapped back!  My husband is a real teaser and on more 

than one occasion he has purposely surprised me to get a reaction.  However, 

if he was in reach, the reaction he got was a slug in the arm.  Without even 

thinking, when I am startled unexpectedly, my arm/hand/fist just swing out 

there!   The man who slapped Paul is fortunate that Paul did not slap back. 

He had been released from his bonds, so his arms and hands were free. 

However, Paul's words were just as potent.  God will slap you, you corrupt 

hypocrite" (New Living Translation)!  We can almost hear the tone in his 

voice!  Paul was not a happy man.  But watch what happened next: 

Those standing near Paul said to him, Do you dare to insult Gods high 

priest? Im sorry, brothers. I didnt realize he was the high priest, 

Paul replied, for the Scriptures say, 'You must not speak evil of any of 

your rulers.' (Acts 23:4-5, New Living Translation) 

As much as I could hear Paul's tone of voice when he reacted to being 

slapped in the face, I can almost hear the hushed whispers of the men 

standing near him.  With fear in their eyes as if lightening was about to 

strike, they said, "Do you dare insult God's high priest?"  Immediately, 

Paul corrected himself.  Why? It was not because Paul feared man.  No, Paul 

feared God's Word.  We can learn from this example.  God's Word instructs us to honor those in authority, regardless of what they have said or done.  In today's culture, this is hard to find.  Too often, people think they have a right to speak 

their mind.  Honor is a rare commodity.  Most people want to "be honored" 

but few sincerely "honor" others, especially authority.  You don't have to 

look very far to find rebellion to authority; unfortunately, it's everywhere 

But as Christians, we are called to a higher standard -- and that standard 

is God's Holy Word.  Regardless of how we feel about a person or situation, 

our behavior must be dictated by the Word of God.  And like Paul, if we 

discover we have acted inappropriately, then immediate, humble correction 

must follow.  

Reverence is simply a deep respect or devotion to someone. Psalm 2:11 says, "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling."  The fear this scripture is speaking of is reverence and respect, not an unpleasant feeling of danger.  To fear the Lord is to admire and worship Him through words and acts of respect and honor. Jesus once made this statement: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me" (John 14:21).  In essence, Jesus was asking the question, "Can you love God and not obey?"  The answer is an obvious no - not intentionally.  It's one thing to do things ignorantly (not knowing), but it's another thing to justify the reactions of our flesh simply because we feel disrespected.  To fear the Lord, and His Word, is not weakness.  On the contrary, it takes more strength to restrain a reaction then it does to 

react.  In the same way, it takes more strength and discipline to humbly 

correct yourself (especially publicly) then it does to say nothing when you 

realized you have erred. 

"Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him" 

(Psalm 34:9).  The good news is God will take care of you when you show Him 

and His Word honor.  Whereas, in another place we are warned, "It is a 

fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). 

Paul understood this and it is the reason he self-corrected.  He didn't fear 

man, he feared (honored, admired, reverenced, and was devoted to) God.  May 

we follow his example, regardless of how others directly or indirectly treat 

us.  May His Word hold a place of honor in our lives above all else. 

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The Hunter's Got A Gun by Daphne Delay

THE HUNTER'S GOT A GUN   

When I was a child, I had many favorite movies.  One that stands out above the rest is the Disney classic, The Fox and the Hound.  I loved the animation and the story of Tod and Copper as young childhood friends who discovered they were supposed to be enemies.  Since becoming an adult, and especially a Christian, certain scenes from this movie have resurfaced in my memory bank as illustrations of real-life truths.

One scene in particular is when "Big Mama" (an old owl) warns Tod (the fox) of becoming friends with the hunter's puppy.  The fox had already had one encounter with the hunter, yet risked going back to the hunter's house to find Copper (the puppy) and more so-called "innocent" fun.  This second trip turned out to be a big mistake!  Big Mama scolded Tod and said, "Didn't you learn anything?  It's either education or elimination!  If you're so foxy and that hound's so dumb, then why does that hound get the fox on the run?  'Cause he's got the hunter and the hunter's got the gun... KABAM!  Elimination!  Lack of education!"  I can still hear Pearl Bailey's voice when I think about these words!

But you know, I also hear the Word of God.  Paul told the Corinthians, "lest Satan should take advantage of us, ...we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).  Ignorance is not the state of being stupid.  It is a lack of knowledge, or in this case, a lack of education.  Just like Big Mama was trying to explain to the fox that the hunter and his dog were not his friends, Paul was trying to tell us that sin may be fun for a season, but Satan is the hunter and the hunter's got a gun, so don't be ignorant!  It would explain why God said in Hosea 4:6, "My people perish (are destroyed) for a lack of knowledge."  Why do God's people perish?  Because they are ignorant (they have a lack of knowledge) of Satan's devices.  The world makes sin look fun and appealing.  But that puppy grows into a big dog and that big dog is trained to bite and kill!

Later, in another chapter, Paul said, "I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).  Paul was not saying he was in fear, as in being afraid of Satan.  He was stating that he was fearful, as in being alarmed, at their behavior which indicated some ignorance on their part.  He continues in verse four by saying, "For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted -- you may well put up with it!"  In other words, you and I received the grace of God in truth, but if we don't get some education concerning the deception of Satan and his devices, we'll find ourselves prancing right over to the hunter's house.  Only this time, the hunter is waiting with a gun.  Whereas "it didn't hurt us" last time, the deceptive innocence will suddenly be removed and we may just find ourselves looking down the nose of a barrel with nowhere to run.

The Bible says that "...Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).  Is he an angel of light?  No, he is only pretending in order to deceive God's people.  Most Christians won't frequent a porn club or a bar or any such obvious sinful place.  But more and more the lines between right and wrong have faded in the church and Christians are allowing things before their eyes and in their hearts that start out looking innocent but soon open themselves up into full-fledge destruction.  Why?  Because "it's either education or elimination!"  If you and I don't know Satan's devices, we will be taken advantage of.  And because of our ignorance, our lack of knowledge, we will be destroyed.  So as Big Mama said, "Didn't you learn anything?"

Tod the fox, had to grow up and let go of childish things, just as we do.  Spiritual maturity, and therefore divine protection, is not judged by the number of years you have been saved, but by your application of the Word of God.  God's Word and our adherence to it is a protector from the hunter whose only desire is "...to kill, steal, and destroy" (John 10:10).  But God's desire for us is "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ" (Ephesians 4:14-15).  Therefore, remember that we are sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves and and should always be wiser than the hunter (I mean, as wise as serpents) and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).

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